The Ministry of Education and Culture --- Starting with the new students of the 2021 batch, the Kartu Indonesia Pintar (KIP) scheme was changed to provide higher tuition and living expenses assistance. The new scheme of KIP Kuliah is a policy in the Ninth Episode of Merdeka Belajar; KIP Kuliah Merdeka. So, the matriculants are expected to be more independent in choosing the preferred study program and location of the college without hesitation because of how high the cost of study programs and the regional price index. The Ministry of Education and Culture has prepared a budget of IDR 2,5 trillion for KIP Kuliah Merdeka this year. This amount has increased when compared to the 2020 budget, which is IDR 1,3 trillion. Last year, the tuition fee for KIP Kuliah Merdeka recipients was adjusted to the selected study program with an average tuition fee of IDR 2,4 million per semester.

However, starting in 2021, the Ministry of Education and Culture categorized the study programs into three categories based on the accreditation. For study programs with A accreditation, tuition fees are given a maximum of IDR 12 million per semester. Meanwhile, B accredited study program has a maximum of IDR 4 million per semester, and study program accredited C has a maximum of IDR 2,4 million per semester.

Then, the cost of living for students who received the KIP Kuliah Merdeka Program, the Ministry of Education and Culture, made a clustering by dividing it into five regional clusters. Students in the cluster 1 area will receive a living cost of IDR 800,000 per month, cluster 2 area of IDR 950,000, cluster 3 area of IDR 1,100,000, cluster 4 area of IDR 1,250,000, and cluster 5 area of IDR 1,400,000. It's increased from last year's cost of living, which is equal for all regions in Indonesia, IDR 700,000 per month.

Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim said KIP Kuliah has a mission to increase access to higher education. "We believe that all students should have the same opportunity to study and have better and more competitive jobs in the industrial world. Students are expected to get better jobs and improve their economic status in the future. The keyword is not just entering university, but improving the economic status of his family." Said the Minister of Education and Culture at the Ninth Episode Merdeka Belajar policy launch: KIP Kampus Merdeka, online, on Friday (26/3/2021). The period for providing educational assistance from KIP Kuliah Merdeka is differentiated by educational programs, namely regular programs and professional programs. For the regular program undergraduate and diploma 4, KIP Kuliah Merdeka is given for a maximum of eight semesters, for Third Diploma a maximum of six semesters, and the second diploma a maximum of four semesters. Meanwhile, the professional program is divided into six: doctors, dentists, veterinarians, nurses, pharmacists, and teachers. KIP Kuliah for a doctor, dentist, and professional veterinarian program are given a maximum of four semesters. Then for the professional program for nurses, pharmacists, and teachers is given a maximum of two semesters. More detailed information about KIP Kampus Merdeka can be seen on the page https://kip-kuliah.kemdikbud.go.id.